Let the music play - new Concert Reviews/Experiences

[Ope3]

Tonight I do not have to travel far to see a little Big Star (Quintet).

The Big Star Quintet - First Avenue

After many years celebrating the music of Big Star via the collective known as Big Star’s Third, Jody Stephens (the last surviving member of the original Big Star lineup) had...

first-avenue.com

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

 

[Ope3]

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

 

[tikited]

At first take, seeing a "tribute" has always seemed something I just am not interested in. Not hearing the original voices, seems to usually fall well short of expectations.

Of course, this The Big Star Quintet is more of a hybrid as original drummer Jody Stevens has put together a 5 piece of musicians as he described "completely capture the spirit" of the songs. To that sentiment, I could not agree more.

The hired hands include Mike Mills (REM), Pat Sansome (Wilco), Chris Stamey (the dBs) & Jon Auer (The Posies). All 5 shared lead vox, pretty much equally. 31 songs, all from the Big Star catalog expect 3 which are Chris Bell solo tune per Setlist.com.

Also my opinion on tribute bands has been a 180, when they are really done well and embraced by the original artists such as Michael Shannon-Jason Narducy taking on REM. Sort of surreal for me, as I saw that collection in March on the same stage (included Wilco's bass player John Stirratt) to then see an REM member doing the same thing.

The show was great. Tremendous fun and a wonderful finale with September Gurls (sung by Mills).

Other notes, Pat Sansome remarked it was his first ever show at 1st Ave, "I finally made it!" Also he remarked how much of an influence Big Star was to him as a kid growing up in nearby Mississippi. You can tell this project is quite a labor of love.

Mills said he was not his maiden voyage at 1st Ave, and his debut more than 40 years ago at the club, "Was a big night for all 50 attendees!"

Jody Stevens relayed several stories on how Big Star formed, tidbits on some of the songs and how he formed this version of the Quintet. Sometimes there are only 4, but still calls it the "Quintet".

Pat was amazing. I had no idea he could sing that well. Great guitar work as well. I'm so glad I went.

 

[Ope3]

Pat was amazing. I had no idea he could sing that well. Great guitar work as well. I'm so glad I went.

I had an inkling on Pat's guitar chops, but like you pretty much no idea on his vocals.

I saw a short Autumn Defense (project with Stirratt) set in Eau Claire 10 years ago which he sang a few songs in an acoustic setting, but that's it. They have a new album coming out in the fall I am now more curious about.



There was a female Wilco fan that freaked out when he did the windmill guitar motion. She said he only usually does that during I'm a Wheel. I'll take her word on that.